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One of the key wins that was recorded at last night’s UFC 165 was by Renan Barao, who defended the interim bantamweight title for a second time by stopping Eddie Wineland. With the victory, Barao is expected to face reigning champion Dominick Cruz sometime in early 2014, who has been on the shelf now for nearly two years due to knee surgeries.

Barao secured his 31st win by stunning Wineland with a spinning back-kick, and then prompting the ref’s intervention (Yves Lavigne) with additional punches. Wineland was in serious trouble, but at the same time, he didn’t appear to lose consciousness. As a result, the former WEC champ relayed in the post fight presser that he thought the stoppage was premature, and in a follow-up tweet stated:

Disappointed in the stoppage but was ref’s discretion. I’m a durable man, it’s a title fight and I wasn’t close to out! Hats off to Renan.

With the loss Wineland’s record now stands at 20-9-1. The 29 year-old had locked up a bout with Barao by winning back-to-back fights over Scott Jorgensen and Brad Pickett.